Autonomic Nervous System: Structure, Function, and Impact on Sports Performance

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a function of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Controlling voluntary muscle movement

Answer

Regulating heart rate and blood pressure

Answer

Controlling digestion and metabolism

Answer

Responding to stressors and activating the 'fight-or-flight' response

Question 2

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for the 'fight or flight' response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic

Answer

Parasympathetic

Answer

Enteric

Answer

Somatic

Question 3

Which of the following is a common disorder specifically affecting the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Raynaud's disease

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Answer

Lupus

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a technique commonly used to assess autonomic nervous system function?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Answer

Blood pressure monitoring

Answer

Tilt table test

Question 5

Which neurotransmitter is primarily released by the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 6

Which neurotransmitter is released by the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce heart rate?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 7

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is activated during a stressful situation to prepare the body for a 'fight or flight' response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic

Answer

Parasympathetic

Answer

Enteric

Answer

Somatic

Question 8

Which type of receptor is NOT involved in the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate receptor

Answer

Alpha-adrenergic receptor

Answer

Beta-adrenergic receptor

Answer

Nicotinic receptor

Question 9

Which condition is associated with excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypothermia

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Question 10

State a key difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic innervates skeletal muscle, while parasympathetic innervates smooth muscle

Answer

Sympathetic division is generally inhibitory, while parasympathetic division is generally excitatory

Answer

Sympathetic system uses acetylcholine as its primary neurotransmitter, while the parasympathetic system uses epinephrine

Answer

Parasympathetic division is responsible for 'fight or flight' responses

Question 11

Which nerve plays a crucial role in regulating heart rate as part of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Vagus nerve

Answer

Splanchnic nerve

Answer

Median nerve

Answer

Sciatic nerve

Question 12

In the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, the neurotransmitter released at postganglionic neurons is primarily:

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 13

Which organ is predominantly innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Stomach

Answer

Heart

Answer

Lungs

Answer

Adrenal glands

Question 14

The vagus nerve is a component of which division of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic

Answer

Sympathetic

Answer

Enteric

Answer

Somatic

Question 15

Which of the following physiological changes is a result of sympathetic nervous system activation?

Accepted Answer

Increased blood glucose levels

Answer

Decreased heart rate

Answer

Dilation of blood vessels in the skin

Answer

Increased salivary gland activity

Question 16

Which neurotransmitter is released by both sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 17

The enteric nervous system is a specialized division of the autonomic nervous system that primarily regulates:

Accepted Answer

Digestive functions

Answer

Respiratory functions

Answer

Cardiovascular functions

Answer

Urinary functions

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

GABA

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 19

Which neurotransmitter is released as the primary chemical messenger of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Noradrenaline

Answer

Adrenaline

Answer

Dopamine

Question 20

During physical exertion, which division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for the observed physiological responses?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer

Enteric nervous system

Answer

Central nervous system

Answer

Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 21

The vagus nerve is primarily associated with which division of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer

Central nervous system

Answer

Enteric nervous system

Answer

Sympathetic nervous system

Question 22

The autonomic nervous system's primary role in maintaining homeostasis is:

Accepted Answer

Adjusting physiological responses to internal and external stimuli

Answer

Producing hormones and enzymes

Answer

Facilitating communication between body parts

Question 23

The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system typically have:

Accepted Answer

Opposing effects on target organs

Answer

Independent effects on target organs

Answer

Similar effects on target organs

Answer

No effect on target organs